English Master’s Degree (M.A.)

A Master of Arts (M.A.) in English is designed to build upon the critical thinking, analysis, and research skills from the bachelor’s degree to promote students’ mastery of language and literature.

Our English master’s degree program allows students to work toward a higher level of intellectual and professional accomplishment. Whether you are preparing for professional positions in the workforce or entrance to a Ph.D. program, we can help you reach your professional goals. Our small program prides itself on mentoring students to help cultivate their native talents and capabilities to be successful in their chosen career.

Resources

Degree

Master of Arts in English

Careers

Teacher

Writer

Editor

Lawyer

Public Relations

Technical Writer

Program Highlights

We offer courses in literature, composition, language studies, and technical communication, providing a broad foundation to prepare students for employment in a variety of fields or any future academic study they elect to pursue.

Students may apply for paid positions as graduate and teaching assistants, receiving excellent training in our Writing Center and in teaching first-year composition.

Our graduate classes are designed as small seminars, allowing students ample mentoring from faculty who share their interests.

Admission Requirements

All college and university transcripts

Personal statement speaking to your goals in seeking a master’s degree in English at ASU

Prerequisites

Hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.5 or better, including all grades on repeated courses, or hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or better in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Completion of a minimum of 24 semester credit hours of undergraduate course work in English, including 12 semester credit hours of advanced course work.

Application Deadlines

Spring: December 1

Fall: July 15

International Student Spring: November 1

International Student Fall: June 20

Degree Plan

M.A. students will complete 36 semester credit hours of graduate course work. Our program is deliberately flexible, the degree plan urging students to explore their interests and native abilities: all students must take English 6391: Bibliography and Research Methods; 6 credits of American literature; 6 credits of British literature; and 3 credits of language/composition studies. Please see our graduate course descriptions page to learn more about our course offerings.

English M.A. Program Course Requirements

Course Requirements

Credits

ENGL 6391: Bibliography and Research Methods

3

ENGL 6XXX: American Literature

6

ENGL 6XXX: British Literature

6

ENGL 6XXX: Language/Composition Studies

3

ENGL 6XXX: Electives

18

Total Degree Credits

36

Assistantships

Carr Graduate Scholarships

Carr Graduate Scholarships are ASU’s premier scholarships for graduate students. Awards are based on undergraduate GPA. Students are considered for the Carr Graduate Scholarship upon their acceptance into the College of Graduate Studies. No application is required.